Modes

directions:

I. Play all modes in 1 position, by interval.

1. Play the Ionian scale in the key of A, using the “G” shape

2. Flat the 3rd and 7th from the Ionian mode. This will give you A Dorian, which has the same notes as G major, because Dorian is the second mode, so its root is up a whole step from the parent key. (The parent key is the key whose Ionian mode is the same notes as the key/mode you’re in.) In other words, the 2nd note of G is a. Notice that the fingering is the same as the G major scale in the “E” shape.

3. Flat the 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th from the Ionian mode. This will give you A Phrygian, which has the same notes as F major, because Phrygian is the third mode, so its root is up two whole steps from the parent key. In other words, the 3rd note of F is a. Notice that the fingering is the same as the F major scale in the “D” shape.

4. Sharp the 4th from the Ionian mode. This will give you A Lydian, which has the same notes as E major, because Lydian is the fourth mode, so its root is up 5 half-steps from the parent key. In other words, the 4th note of E major is a. Notice that the fingering is the same as the E major scale in the “D” shape.

5. Flat the 7th from the Ionian mode. This will give you A Mixolydian, which has the same notes as D major, because Mixolydian is the fifth mode, so its root is up 7 half-steps from the parent key. In other words, the 5th note of D major is a. Notice that the fingering is the same as the D major scale in the “C” shape.

6. Flat the 3rd, 6th, and 7th from the Ionian mode. This will give you A Aeolian, which has the same notes as C major, because Aeolian is the 6th mode, so its root is up 9 half-steps steps from the parent key. In other words, the 6th note of C major is a. Notice that the fingering is the same as the C major scale in the “A” shape.

7. Flat the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th from the Ionian mode. This will give you A Locrian, which has the same notes as Bb major, because Locrian is the 7th mode, so its root is up 11 half-steps from the parent key. In other words, the 7th note of Bb major is a. Notice that the fingering is the same as the Bb major scale in the “G” shape.

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II. Do all the above steps in the remaining CAGED shapes of G, E, D, and C

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III. Pick a new key and a new CAGED shape.

1. Play the Ionian scale in (your key), using (your CAGED system shape).

2. Flat the 3rd and 7th from the Ionian mode of (your key). This will give you (your key) Dorian, which has the same notes as ___ major, because Dorian is the second mode, so its root is up a whole step from the parent key. In other words, the 2nd note of (parent key) is (root of your key). Notice that the fingering is the same as the ___ major scale in the “__” shape.

3. Flat the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th from the Ionian mode of (your key). This will give you (your key) Phrygian, which has the same notes as ___ major, because Phrygian is the third mode, so its root is up two whole steps from the parent key. In other words, the 3rd note of (parent key) is (root of your key). Notice that the fingering is the same as the ___ major scale in the “__” shape.

4. Sharp the 4th from the Ionian mode of (your key). This will give you (your key) Lydian, which has the same notes as ____ major, because Lydian is the fourth mode, so its root is up 5 half-steps from the parent key. In other words, the 4th note of (parent key) is (root of your key). Notice that the fingering is the same as the ___ major scale in the “__” shape.

5. Flat the 7th from the Ionian mode of (your key). This will give you (your key) Mixolydian, which has the same notes as _____ major, because Mixolydian is the fifth mode, so its root is up 7 half-steps from the parent key. In other words, the 5th note of (parent key) is (root of your key). Notice that the fingering is the same as the ___ major scale in the “__” shape.

6. Flat the 3rd, 6th, and 7th from the Ionian mode of (your key). This will give you (your key) Aeolian, which has the same notes as ____ major, because Aeolian is the 6th mode, so its root is up 9 half-steps steps from the parent key. In other words, the 6th note of (parent key) is (root of your key). Notice that the fingering is the same as the ___ major scale in the “__” shape.

7. Flat the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th from the Ionian mode of (your key). This will give you (your key) Locrian, which has the same notes as _____ major, because Locrian is the 7th mode, so its root is up 11 half-steps from the parent key. In other words, the 7th note of (parent key) is (root of your key). Notice that the fingering is the same as the ___ major scale in the “__” shape.